Dundee 1
Partick Thistle 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

A marvelous match ended in blazing controversy in the mud at Dens Park.

With just six minutes left, Dundee led 1-0. Then it all went crazy when they had a goal disallowed.

Former Celtic player Peter Mackie collected the ball in midfield. With the stand-side linesman raising his flag for offside against one of his team-mates, Mackie calmly strode past everyone and then brilliantly lobbed the ball over Alan Rough and into the net.

Referee Tommy Muirhead, ignoring his linesman, immediately awarded a goal. Then Thistle players persuaded him to consult the linesman.

He changed his decision even though the other Dundee player involved in the incident did not appear to be interfering with play.

A minute later, an even bigger disaster befell Tommy Gemmell's side. Jim Melrose went down the right and his cross found big Colin McAdam with room to head the equaliser.

By that time the whole place was in uproar and, before the end, Muirhead had to warn Thistle manager Bertie Auld to return to his dug-out as he tried to coach from the touchline.

Both sides could have scored twice in the first 15 minutes. From a Pirie pass, Eric Sinclair dragged the ball past three defenders and Rough before smack ing a shot against the post in eight minutes.

Two minutes later Thistle almost netted but Donald son, again in marvellous form, saved well from McAdam's header.

Dundee might have had a penalty when Campbell seemed to push Sinclair in 25 minutes and both Sinclair and Redford came close before half-time.

However, the Dens men's luck changed only six minutes after the break. Campbell could only push a long clearance to Billy Pirie, who took the ball in on goal, rounded Rough, then hit a left-foot shot into the net.

That was the signal for Thistle to have their best spell and before the equaliser and the controversial disallowed goal, Donaldson again showed superb form with three fine saves from Melrose.